Marenthia

Empire of Marenthia
Imperia Marentiae
Banner	Crest
Motto:" Order Above All"
("Odros Principa Iest")
[MAP]
Location of Marenthia in Noreia
Capital and largest city	Marenth
Official language(s)	Common Marenthin
Faith	Religa
Races	Human Iron Dwarf Gnome High Elf Halfling Snow Elf
Demonym	Marenthian
Government type	Semi-elective absolute monarchy
• Lydus	D'Artamo Auracus
Formation
• Founding of Marenth	Sarum of 1 f.Ma.
• Marenth-Naveth Union
• Cereilan Severance
• Conquest of Essaia-Cereila
• Full subjugation of the Lowlands	688 f.Ma.
Area
• Land	93,000 sq mi (240,000 km²) ()
• Water
Population (estimate)	10,000,000 (1st)

Marenthia, officially the Empire of Marenthia, is a sovereign Human dominion in the southwestern region of Noreia commonly known as the Lowlands. Over half of its borders are coastal, the northern Dagger Coast lay in the White Ocean, and the remaining western-, southern-, and eastern coasts lay in the Glimmering Sea. Marenthia shares its land borders with the human dominion Valcrest to the east, and a mountain border with the iron dwarven kingdom, Káhl'Báerig to the north. Marenthia is made up of four provinces and has a temperate seasonal climate.

Despite being only the 3rd largest realm in Noreia, Marenthia is the most populated dominion in Veracia, and the largest human civilization to date with an estimated population of 10 million inhabitants. The capital city, Marenth, is also the empire's largest city and a center for trade, culture, politics and science among others. Other prominent cities include Naveth, Ondossin, Prigia, Sedia, Virius, Hegius as well as Agulus.

With a history filled with war and conquest, Marenthia has been shaped into a nation of hardened people. Following the founding of its namesake capital, Marenth, the newfangled nation rapidly conquered its neighboring human settlements through steel and diplomacy, in order to create a strong unified human dominion to ensure that another elven subjugation would never occur again.

In the War for Mortalkind, the empire took an active role of creating an alliance with other nations, promoting international co-operation.

In modern times Marenthia has proven to be home of innovation and advancements in fields of science and technology, and even in magic and magecraft. However, following the Destruction of Durea, Marenthia established a strict policy on abolishing magic, a chaotic influence deemed unwelcome in a domain devoted to order. While not actively persecuting magic users, any known use of such will draw the attention of the Red Inquisitors.

History

Founding of Marenth (1 f.Ma.)

Though there are traces of the settlement which would eventually become known as Marenth, the capital city of the Empire of Marenthia, the traditional founding date is given as Sarum of 1 f.Ma. The city of Marenth was said to have been founded by a man named Lydus Marentor, a powerful and charismatic leader who is said to have united the various tribes and settlements in the region under his rule.

The details of Lydus Marentor's life and reign are shrouded in mystery and legend, as there are few surviving written records from this early period. However, it is said that he was a skilled warrior and diplomat, who used his military prowess and strategic alliances to bring the neighboring tribes and settlements under his control. Though most of what is known about Lydus Marentor is through legends, there is enough written proof to establish that he was a Marenthian ruler that lived during that general time.

One of the most popular foundation legends of Marenth, is that of Lydus Marentor's battle against the monstrous creature known as Dracos Maximos or "Great Dragon". According to the tales, Dracos Maximos was a massive creature, larger than any dragon known to man, that terrorized the land and its inhabitants. It is said to have been covered in thick, impenetrable scales and possessed of deadly breath of fire and corrosive venom.

Lydus Marentor, determined to rid the land of this beast, rallied his people and led them in a great battle against Dracos Maximos. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outmatched, Marentor and his army fought with valor and determination, and after a long and grueling battle, traditionally said to last 12 days, they emerged victorious.

The legend goes that Marentor, with his own hands, plunged his sword into the heart of Dracos Maximos and the monster's body fell to the ground, creating the island within the natural harbor where the imperial palace would be built centuries later. This island was said to have been created by the dragon's corpse, and it is said to have been of considerable size, roughly 300x200ft, providing a natural shelter for ships and boats. Even today, the island is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Marenthian strength and courage, though scholars still argue for the veracity of the tale.

Despite the many legends and stories that have been passed down over the centuries, it is clear that Lydus Marentor was a powerful and influential figure who played a key role in the early history of Marenthia. Today, his legacy is honored in the city of Marenth, where a statue of him stands in the central square, and his name is remembered as one of the most important figures in Marenthian history.

==

The Orethan Wars ( — 688 f.Ma.)

The First Orethan War (XXX — YYY f.Ma.)

The First Orethan War, also known as the 50 Year War or the First Orethan Conquest, was a prolonged and brutal conflict between the Empire of Marenthia and the independent Orethan region. The war, which lasted for nearly 50 years, was sparked by Marenthia's desire to expand its territory and exert its dominance over the neighboring region.

The war began with a Marenthian invasion of Orethan, led by Emperor Kallus the Conqueror. The Orethanians, led by their fierce warrior queen, Elenora, put up a strong resistance and the war quickly became a stalemate. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, with Marenthia's superior technology and tactics offset by Orethan's fierce determination and expert guerrilla warfare.

As the war dragged on, both sides grew increasingly weary of the conflict. Marenthia's economy was stretched thin by the cost of maintaining a large army, while Orethan's resources were depleted by the constant fighting. Eventually, both sides agreed to a white peace, in which Marenthia would retreat and Orethan would remain independent.

The war was a pyrrhic victory for Orethan, as they had managed to fend off the Marenthian invaders but at the cost of much of their land and resources. For Marenthia, it was a humiliation, as they had been unable to conquer the neighboring region despite their superior military might.

The war is still remembered in both Marenthia and Orethan, with many monuments and memorials dedicated to the fallen soldiers and civilians. The Orethanians refer to the war as "Fifty Year Hardship" and it is considered a dark period in their history. In Marenthia, it is seen as a cautionary tale of the dangers of overreaching and the importance of diplomacy in international relations.

The Second Orethan War (461 — 504 f.Ma.)

The Second Orethan War, also known as the War of the Iron Will, was fought between the Empire of Marenthia and the still independent state of Oretha between the years 461-504 f.Ma. This war marked the second attempted conquest of Oretha by Marenthia, following the First Orethan War, which ended in a white peace.

The war began in 461 when Marenthia, seeking to expand its borders and gain control of Oretha's valuable resources, launched a surprise attack on the independent state. Oretha, however, was not caught off guard this time and had been preparing for such an event. The Orethan Warcasters, powerful arcane spellcasters, proved to be a formidable force that Marenthia had not anticipated.

The war was long and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy casualties and destruction. Marenthia had underestimated the strength of Oretha's defenses and their use of magic in battle. The warcasters proved to be a formidable force, decimating Marenthia's ranks and causing significant damage to their cities and fortresses.

Despite their best efforts, Marenthia was unable to conquer Oretha and the war ended in a stalemate. In 504, both sides signed a treaty known as the Treaty of Orethan Independence, which recognized Oretha's sovereignty and independence from Marenthia. The treaty also established a demilitarized zone between the two nations, and imposed strict trade restrictions on Marenthia.

The Second Orethan War was a costly and devastating conflict for both sides. Marenthia suffered heavy losses in lives and resources, and the war left many of its cities and fortresses in ruins. Oretha, on the other hand, had successfully defended its independence but at the cost of much of its own people and infrastructure. The war is remembered as a dark period in Marenthia's history, and its attempts to conquer Oretha have been viewed as a cautionary tale of the dangers of underestimating one's enemies.

The Third Orethan War (652 — 688 f.Ma.)

The Third Orethan War, also known as the Final Conquest, was a long and brutal conflict between the Empire of Marenthia and the autonomous region of Oretha. It began in 652 f.Ma. and ended in 688 f.Ma. with the complete subjugation of Oretha by Marenthia.

Unlike the previous two wars, this conflict was marked by brutal and merciless tactics employed solely by Marenthia. The empire deployed their elite units, the Red Inquisitors, who were trained to specifically target and eliminate Orethan Warcasters - the powerful arcane wielders who had previously won Oretha their independence. This new tactic, along with advanced technology and weaponry, allowed Marenthia to gain the upper hand and ultimately crush Orethan resistance.

This war marked a turning point in the long-standing conflict between the two nations, as Marenthia's brutal tactics and technological advancements allowed them to finally achieve their goal of complete control over Oretha. Despite this, Oretha was granted special status as an autonomous region in order to prevent future uprisings and revolts, though these would only serve to delay the unrest rather than quell it.

Contemporary Period (725 f.Ma. — present)

The Destruction of Durea (924 f.Ma.)

The catastrophic event leading to the fall of the town of Durea is an event shrouded in mystery. In 924 f.Ma., Durea and its surroundings were seemingly enveloped in a thick grey smog which instantly disappeared with a sudden thunderous noise, said to have been heard all the way to the city of Valcrest. A squadron of the marenthian cavalry were the first to arrive to a structurally completely intact, but empty, town. The ground was said to be covered in a knee-high layer of heavy searing hot ash-like material that has yet to cool down in the ten years that have passed since.

The area was subsequently enclosed with a 90ft wall, nowadays commonly known as Auracus' Wall, named after the reigning Lydus Dartamo Auracus, who ordered for its construction.

The event is cited by many scholars as the start of the Marenthian policy on magic, and this is also the official stance on the subject matter by the Marenthian government. Because there are many unanswered questions, many conspiracy theories have been born. However, due to the devastating nature of the event itself, there are no known living survivors, the exception being Gorann Ierinnhaammar, the former minister of the town's late Damo, Amos Proudwind.